Guardian Music — At this time of knees-up fun, you need menacing and foreboding music – and this London trio's synth-noir should be a vigorous corrective to all that mulled wineHometown: Hackney, London.The lineup: Gabriel Gurnsey, Dominic Butler, N Colk.The b... more info

Stereogum — The Drum' "I Felt So Stupid" is a really catchy song ... wait for that chorus. As I mentioned last time: On their MySpace they list the Smiths, the Legends, the Shangri-Las, the Tough Alliance, the Embassy, Orange Juice, and Joy Division as influence... more info

Guardian Music — These cerebral prog-poppers prove that Manchester is finally producing innovative, intelligent music againHometown: Manchester.The lineup: Duncan Wallis (vocals), Robin Richards (bass), Pete Broadhead (guitar), Dan Spedding (guitar), Andy Proudfoot (... more info

Stopcryingyourheartout.com — Dylan Moran has said that Oasis were always a boring band.The stand-up comedian told The Quietus that he much prefers the Arctic Monkeys to the now-split Manchester group.Moran said: "The Arctic Monkeys are very witty. It's a banging tune with funny ... more info

Guardian Music — The New York mope patrol claim that their forthcoming record 'falls back towards the first'. So no change there then ...Interpol are "falling back towards" their debut, drummer Sam Fogarino said this week, drawing inspiration for their fourth album f... more info

Stereogum — In tonight's episode, Rossdale plays a goth vampire rock star suspected of murder. And he performs "Love Will Tear Us Apart." No need to wait by the Tivo, you can watch right now. Start picking out your dress for the Emmys, Gwen. more info

Stereogum — After a year that saw them cover Joy Division, get covered by Lissy Trullie, and pursue various side projects, UK dance crew Hot Chip are set to return with a new LP, the Made In The Dark followup titled One Life Stand. The set is due in Februar... more info

Here Comes The Flood — Three guitarists including one who used be in both New Order and Joy Division - that's Bad Lieutenant. Bernard Sumner (guitar, vocals) Phil Cunningham (guitar) and Jake Evans (guitar, vocals) have an album out called Never Cry Another Tear and fl... more info

Guardian Music — With their synth-pop noir, Detachments are going to be competing for the title of 2010's best indie-techno miserablistsHometown: London.The lineup: Sebastien Marshal (vocals, keyboards, guitar), Max Moreau (bass, guitar), Pete Dawson (drums).The back... more info

The Vinyl Villain — There are some things which really dont seem as if they were released 30 years ago. The 7" single given the catalogue number FAC 13 first hit the shops in October 1979.I'm guessing that more people heard the song for the first time over the past 5 ye... more info